Swiss Embassy Celebrates 40 years of Swiss-Egyptian Development Cooperation

CAIRO - 2 October 2019: The Embassy of Switzerland is hosting a press conference and poster exhibition to celebrate 40 years of Swiss-Egyptian development cooperation, throughout which some 700 million Swiss francs have been invested in more than 200 projects to boost infrastructure, develop the private sector, and empower civil society, among other initiatives.

Speakers at the event, which will be held on October 2, will be Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Paul Garnier, UN Country Representative Richard Dictus, UNFPA Country Representative Aleksandar Bodiroza, former Programme Manager at the Jesuits and Brothers Association Magdy Asham, General Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent Ramy El Nazer, and Director of Shnit Cairo Wael Omar. The speakers will discuss the many facets of Swiss-Egyptian development cooperation and their involvement in it.

Following the press conference, attendees will have an opportunity to view a gallery of black-and-white posters showcasing images from Switzerland’s diverse development projects across Egypt.

Forty years ago, in 1979, Switzerland and Egypt concluded a partnership to stimulate economic cooperation and investments, and bring support to the most vulnerable people among the Egyptian population. Projects at the time focused on infrastructure. Today, Switzerland’s development projects in Egypt have expanded greatly to include diverse activities in the fields of democratic processes and human rights, inclusive sustainable economic growth and employment, and migration and protection. Switzerland supports Egypt’s comprehensive reform agenda as set out in its 2030 Egypt Vision.

Some of the highlights of Switzerland’s development programme successes in Egypt include provision of reliable radiology services that have benefitted 1.8 million patients, creation of 50,000 jobs in the aquaculture sector, and provision of support to three microfinance institutions with 450,000 clients and an outstanding portfolio of 110 million Swiss francs.

“Partnership is part and parcel of Switzerland’s cooperation worldwide, and this is very true for our cooperation programme here in Egypt. We are proud to be making a difference in the lives of many Egyptians,” said Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Paul Garnier.

For the 40-year landmark celebration, Ambassador Raymund Furrer, the head of Switzerland’s Economic Cooperation and Development Division and Delegate of the Swiss Government for Trade Agreements, will be visiting Cairo from 7-11 October to meet with Egyptian officials and partners, visit projects and discuss continued development cooperation in the future.